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Samantha Stanley

Lauren Alaina is one of the most hard-working people in country music. Ask anyone and I’m sure they’d agree. Years after placing second on Season 11 of American Idol, Alaina has continued to prove time and time again that’s she’s here to stay. After releasing her second album “Road Less Traveled” back in 2016, Lauren has toured extensively with numerous artists, been a featured artist on tracks with the likes of Kane Brown, Chris Young, Hardy and most recently Dustin Lynch. She also participated in the latest series of “Dancing with the Stars” as a finalist and finished her first headlining tour in the U.S earlier this year after a fabulous trip to the UK last Summer.

With all that being said, it’s time for new Lauren Alaina music and while we don’t have a full album yet, we do have the brand-new EP “Getting Good” to tide us over in the meantime, which is just as exciting, especially with 5 out of the 6 tracks being co-written by Lauren herself.

The EP starts with “In My Veins” – instrumentally it sounds like a good Shania Twain throwback with a 2020 update while still being a true Lauren Alaina song. In some respects, it feels like the older sibling of “Georgia Peaches” with similar themes of being proud of where she’s from and not changing as a person, even though everything around her has probably changed drastically over the years. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.

Life is pretty hard, right? We all have these expectations that certain things in life will make us happy once we achieve them if we ever do. Whether it’s that we should have our dream jobs, own our own house, be married or settled down at an age deemed appropriate by society. It’s easy to use others success or life ‘achievements’ as a comparison and think you’re not on track with your own. I know I do that or used to anyway. “Getting Good”, Alaina’s latest single is a great reminder that we should all take into account what we do have, rather than have the grass is greener on the other side outlook – because ultimately, we can only live in the present and appreciate that for what it is.

“Somebody Else’s Problem” is the sassiest breakup song that I never knew I wanted or needed from Lauren Alaina. The comparison between wasting time and money on a car to the effort put into a relationship that you know you should let go of because it’s a drain is such a clever analogy and I’m here for it! I can’t wait to hear this performed live, it’s sure to be a new crowd-pleaser.

If there was ever a song that should’ve been a number 1, it should’ve been “Ladies in the 90’s”. During a time where women struggle to get airplay on Country radio, this was a perfect song that was upbeat and fun whilst still addressing the issue at hand with all the fun nostalgia.

The 90’s were a great time for women in the genre, with the likes of Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Reba – the list of artists could go on and on – enjoying big success. Those were the women our generation looked up to, they were the artists who young girls would see and make them think they could be a singer. Fast forward to today, and unfortunately, it’s much harder for women to have that level of success. This was one of my favourite songs of any artist in 2019, I defy you to not have a loud sing along while listening to it!

Lauren has released relationship songs in the past, but “Country in Me” feels like a new take on love and newfound happiness. “Country in Me” talks about finding a new love that brings out the real you and in Lauren’s case probably reminds her of home and where she came from, which is a recurring theme with the new music.

“The Other Side” is one of the most wonderful songs about love, loss and faith. I am the first to admit I am not a religious person, but I appreciate what having faith does for others and this story of Sam, Lauren’s Stepdad who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2018 is beautiful and will mean a lot to people in their time of need – whether that be in times of questioning their faith or dealing with the loss of a loved one. Lauren has always been an open book and her music is very personal, but I think it was very brave of her to share this incredibly personal story with the world.

My only issue with an EP, is that it makes me want the full album right away but then I guess that’s the whole point. However, I’m a greedy music fan and want it now. It’s no secret that in-between “Road Less Traveled” that Lauren has experienced a lot, and it shows in her new music.

This body of work is a great example of what Lauren Alaina does in the best way; she turns her life into art. Which I can imagine at times can be a very vulnerable thing to do, to have an audience to some of your peaks and lows but as with “Road Less Traveled”, it’s been done incredibly well – this EP has everything it can within 6 tracks, it’s fun, feisty, hopeful and sad all in one and I personally cannot wait to hear the album in its entirety. I feel I’ve said this a lot over the years, but I truly believe that she will be one of the artists, just like her own in “Ladies in the 90’s” that when we look back a few years from now, she will be one of the genre’s big stars and rightly so.

You can learn more about Lauren Alaina by visiting her official website or by following her on her social media pages;

As we are all very aware, we are currently living in very uncertain times and music is medicine as people say. There has been a long wait for the highly anticipated debut album from rising UK star Twinnie and that wait is almost over! If you follow Twinnie on social media, you’ll know that a lot of hard work has gone into the making of “Hollywood Gypsy”, so make sure you check it out April 17th 2020.

Until then, a new single from the album has been released in the form of “I Love You Now Change”. Like previous releases “I Love You Now Change” has the attitude and sass we’ve come to know and love from Twinnie.

Talking about the song, she says “This song was inspired by conflict, two people not being on the same page. It is something I can relate to, not only in my love life, but also the pressures you can face as a new artist in the music industry.”

“Hollywood Gypsy” was recorded between London, Nashville and Sweden. Describing the album Twinnie has said “The title of the album pretty much sums me up. I am a traveller by nature and by heritage, so I am quite free. “Hollywood Gypsy” is about me, my life.”

If the music that has been released so far is anything to go by, the album will be a pop-country masterclass that will elevate the UK scene.

You can listen to “I Love You Now Change“ on any of the listed platforms here. “Hollywood Gypsy” is available April 17th 2020 and is available for pre-order now!

If you have been to any CMA Songwriter Series show, you will know that it is such a special evening with standout moments from some of Nashville’s most talented songwriters. For me, one of those highlights was Lori McKenna back in 2016. Last year was the first time the CMA Songwriters Series toured as part of the inaugural Country Music Week, and luckily for us thanks to it’s success that tour is set to take place for the second year running.

Hosted by Chris DeStefano and featuring Kassi Ashton, Ashley Campbell and Tenille Townes, the show is an evening of storytelling, allowing fans to get to know the unsung heroes behind some of their favourite songs and an opportunity to hear the stories behind the song from the writers themselves. The two-hour seated show is an intimate in the round kind of show, with each artist taking turns to perform acoustically and for Chris DeStefano, Kassi Ashton and Tenille Townes it will be their first time performing in the UK.

“Presenting this very Nashville experience in an international setting not only makes for a magical evening, but it truly forges a deeper connection to the music for new audiences,” said Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “The artists on this tour represent a true cross section of Country Music and we’re honored to be part of their journey as they build their international base.”

The tour dates continue to further CMA’s global expansion initiatives. In the U.K. alone, Country Music streaming is up more than 50 percent this year compared to 2017, where 78 percent of Country fans listen to a greater and more varied number of Country artists compared to last year, while 80 percent of Country fans are interested in and seek out more live Country Music shows and events. Earlier this spring, CMA visited both the U.K. during C2C: Country to Country festival—where CMA Songwriters Series held a sold-out show at London’s indigo at The O2—as well as Australia during CMC Rocks QLD festival.

Hit TV show “Nashville” may be soon leaving our TV screens but fear not as the cast aren’t going anywhere. In fact, ahead of the finale airing in the US, Clare Bowen – better known as Scarlett O’Connor has announced the release of her debut album just in time for her first ever headline UK tour.

Released via BMG, you will be able to hear the album in full on August 31st – if you haven’t already heard it, make sure you check out Clare’s single “Let it Rain” for a sneak peek of what’s in store. “Let it Rain” was debuted on Bob Harris’ Radio 2 show and has already received a great reaction.

As previously mentioned Clare will be headlining her first UK tour after numerous visits with her “Nashville” cast-mates where they sold our shows at the 02 Arena as well as three nights at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. The tour kicks off in Birmingham on September 2nd before concluding in Brighton on September 13th with numerous stops in between.

Growing up in rural Australia, Clare was influenced by her parents’ music collection where she explains “Music was my connection to the rest of the world, I was brought up on my parents’ vinyl collection – everything from Vivaldi, to Elvis, to Dolly, to Springsteen, Edith Piaf and Etta James.” With those influences her album which has been years in the making will sure to be a treat.

LeAnn Rimes was signing her first record deal with Curb Records and embarking on a career that has so far spanned two decades, eleven album releases, over 37 million album sales worldwide to date and not to mention the award nominations and wins.

If you think back to the 90’s/00’s and consider songs that would be on the soundtrack of those years, LeAnn Rimes’ music would be high on those lists. Some of my favourite LeAnn songs were recorded when she was just a teen, and most of those were about love and heartbreak yet at the time she was still so young and probably hadn’t lived through what she was singing about, but her deliverance of the lyrics was always convincing.

“One Way Ticket” is a song that I’ve always loved, however the lyrics never seemed to fit the original melody for me and is something I thought would benefit from having a more subtle, mellow arrangement. Fast forward to 2017, and that’s exactly what I heard when LeAnn performed a more stripped back version during her UK tour. It felt as though LeAnn connected with the lyrics on a more personal level, because since it’s releasing it back in 1996, LeAnn has experienced love, loss, heartbreak and life in general. From that night, I hoped it would be released in some capacity and thankfully it has been along with other hits in the form of “Re-Imagined”.

“How Do I Live” was a huge hit and is one of the first songs I remember hearing during my childhood. There are certain songs that shouldn’t be touched or tweaked in anyway, because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I have always had that attitude about this song but having said that it feels as though over the last few years LeAnn has made a lot of changes both personally and professionally that changed the way she performs, how she interprets music and delivers a lyric which is very evident in the new version.

I felt the original was about someone who was so in love with another person that their whole being is about them, they love the other so much that they can’t imagine life without them but the “Reimagined” version is more of a love letter. It’s stripped back, still vulnerable but has a warm, content feel and is a new and improved version that I never knew I wanted in life.

“Can’t Fight the Moonlight” originated from the movie “Coyote Ugly”, where LeAnn provided the vocals for Piper Perabo’s character Violet Sanford. This version is the first of two live tracks on the EP and has more of a bluesy vibe and is more up-tempo. It’s a good filler in between the ballads but for me, it’s the only one on the EP that I feel doesn’t work quite as well as a recording as it does at a show with the crowd atmosphere.

“Blue” was the track that made people make the comparison between LeAnn and the late, great Patsy Cline. The second of two live tracks, it keeps much of what made the original recording so special but of course over the years LeAnn’s voice has gotten stronger and more mature making it quite a nostalgic revisit to what kickstarted her career.

LeAnn Rimes and Stevie Nicks is a duet I never thought would work. Their voices and musical style feel worlds apart, and when I saw the duet was “Borrowed”, I didn’t know what to expect but everything came together and worked. “Spitfire” is one of LeAnn’s most personal albums, with “Borrowed” being a brutally honest song from a tough period in her personal life and Stevie’s vocal harmony adds an at times sombre feel to a very vulnerable song.

If you are a fan of LeAnn Rimes or are a radio listener, you will have heard these songs in their original form and what has stood out with the “Re-Imagined” EP is that they are a group of timeless tracks that were great the first time round, but for me I was a kid during that time and as much as I loved the songs I didn’t connect emotionally because I couldn’t but now as a twenty something, they take on a whole different meaning and that’s something I adore about music.

Over the last few years, LeAnn has produced some of her best and most authentic work. When the new version of “One Way Ticket” was released, I thought it was because of fans requesting it after hearing it at the live shows, never did I think this project would follow but it was a very pleasant surprise and it makes me excited to hear what’s next.

Track Listing;

How Do I Live

One Way Ticket

Can’t Fight the Moonlight

Blue

You can learn more about LeAnn Rimes by visiting her official website or by following her on her social media pages;

Cam burst on the scene at a time when the airwaves were overcome with bro-country, females were in a difficult spot within the genre and despite their best efforts weren’t getting played as much as their male counterparts, if at all. For an established artist, that would be tough but for an up and coming artist trying to break through? Near impossible. Throw in a ballad as a single and that could have been a recipe for disaster. Luckily for us, Cam broke through the barriers with “Burning House” from her debut album “Untamed”, which went to number two in the United States and became a platinum selling single.

Almost three years have past since “Untamed” was released, and Cam is gearing up for a new album cycle, starting with the smash single “Diane”.

Following her solo show and appearances with Sam Smith during his “The Thrill of it All World Tour” in London, we got to chat with Cam about what we can expect from the follow up to “Untamed”, her writing process and her very honest and open views on women and their positions in the music business.

CC: First off, I want to say congratulations on the success of “Diane” so far, it was lovely to see it sitting in the Top 40 all genre charts on iTunes in the UK last week, it’s currently 47 and is sitting at the top of the UK Country charts.

Cam: Yeah, it’s been really cool!

CC: You wrote “Palace” which appeared on Sam Smith’s latest album and have recently released your own version. As a songwriter, are there any tracks that you’ve written with the intention of releasing yourself that have gone to other artists or do you write with the intention of pitching them to others?

Cam: Usually I write with them in mind but honestly every time it’s happened I’ve been invited to go and write, then the artist will be present. So it’s been very obvious that it’s going to Miley or Sam. There’s been times where I’ve tried to write things for other people and it hasn’t worked out that they’ve sung it, it doesn’t happen very often and it’s something I did early on in my career more but as I started getting into being an artist myself, I didn’t have as much time or I didn’t want to let go of anything I loved so I just kept it for myself.

With Sam Smith and Miley Cyrus, when you get invited to go and spend time with an artist like that it’s so much fun because they know what you do. Sam was excited to write with me and we just kinda had the same idea of how the song should go and it sounds so beautiful with him singing it. I didn’t plan on doing it myself but it’s so fun that whenever I sing it live, people get excited about it. So I made a video of a live recording of it and Sam was like “oh it’s so beautiful, you have to share this with people”. It’s not like I’m putting it out on CD or anything but it’s fun to have it out so more people can hear the beautiful song that we did.

CC: You recently visited the UK and made appearances during Sam Smith’s shows at The 02 to perform “Palace” with him and then did your own headline show. What was it like to perform with Sam?

Cam: Oh, so cool! I knew I was coming over there because we were gonna launch “Diane” so I had a show and some press planned. I looked on the calendar and usually maybe if Sam’s free we can write or something and he had those shows at The 02 so I said “oh my gosh, you’re playing! I have to come see you” and he said “if you’re in town, why don’t you come sing “Palace” with me?” I was like of course!

I went out to the shows and remember at rehearsal, they do it that first day and he said “ok you’re going to stand over on this lift over here, it’ll take you four feet up in the air”. Which is a little bit terrifying because I was wearing heels and there’s no handle or anything then he goes, “I’d love to stand next to you but we have this golden, spiral staircase and it’ll be a shame not to use it.”

He goes up on the staircase then I sing from the little lift out on the front part of the stage and sing up to him and it was a really beautiful, modern Romeo and Juliet moment. Every night it was the beginning of the encore, so it’s just a cool moment where everyone’s so excited that you’ve come back out on stage and Sam would introduce me and explain where the song came from, how he spent time in Nashville and it was such a welcoming crowd. It was obviously so special for him, he’s doing this tour all over the world and gets to be home for these few shows and the way the crowd responded. He’s just such a great performer and I felt like when we were singing, especially with a soft song like “Palace” is, you could hear the audience, they were all so quiet and softly singing with us. It was so beautiful and a magical experience.

CC: I think it’s great that instead of having you just watch the show, knowing you were there that he invited you to perform because that could be such a huge platform for you in the UK outside of the usual Country crowd, and it potentially already is with “Diane” being in the Top 40 on iTunes.

Cam: Yeah, exactly! He’s such a big hearted, genuine individual. I haven’t seen anything that feels like typical diva, popstar type behaviour. He’s just a sweet person and is so giving. It seems totally natural to him to check in and be like “is everything ok? How are you feeling?” and I’m just like it’s your show, I’m just here! It was really cool.

CC: UK audiences are known for being a very loud and enthusiastic crowd and thinking back to your debut show here back in 2015 at the iTunes festival, I remember that audience singing “Burning House” back to you but fast forward to your headlining show last month and the video you posted of the “Diane” encore – it seemed to be other level.

Cam: Oh my gosh, I got goose bumps just thinking about it. I’ve come back a few times now, so I’ve developed this kind of relationship with the fans there – I even actually brought two fans to the Sam Smith show and it was so cool. The fans there, you guys know the words to everything! Something off a live session from 2000 whatever, everyone knows all the words! Especially with “Diane” everywhere I’ve gone and, in the US too there’s been such a huge reaction to that song.

At that show, my mic cable fell out of the microphone and I plugged it back in, but I had this moment where I couldn’t sing anything so just told the crowd to sing and they were so loud! That’s what you live for as a songwriter, to know that so many people connect with what it is you’re talking about and want to scream it at the top of their lungs – that’s a really big deal.

CC: So far you’ve done a couple of headlining shows in London but haven’t had a full tour yet, is that something we can look forward to?

Cam: Yes! That’s what I’m working on planning right now, especially with how people have been reacting to “Diane” and it getting played on the main playlist there. It’s confirmed I need to make sure this tour happens soon, so I’m working on it.

CC: Your debut album “Untamed” came out at a time where being a female in Country music was difficult, but being a new female artist seemed impossible! I think the likes of yourself and Kelsea Ballerini really paved the way for your generation of female artists to push through those barriers and succeed. What was that time like, and now you’re releasing new music does it feel any different now?

Cam: I’d say in the beginning I remember thinking, “oh there’s no women, what a great opportunity! They must need me.” I didn’t understand what quite contributed to that climate and so somewhat naively and maybe for the better I just pushed forward thinking of course, they need more women so now’s a great time to come into this. I was really lucky having “Burning House” hit the way it did and the way people reacted, having it get played on radio then have it get the sale numbers and those numbers that everyone feels now we’ll acknowledge that your music is good.

I remember watching what Kelsea was doing then after with Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Raelynn, Lauren Alaina – there’s a whole long list, well not long list it’s quite a short list but more and more are showing up.

I would say right now is just as bad to be honest with you. The numbers say it’s worse, in the past couple of years it’s actually gotten worse when you look at how many women are being played on American radio; I’m not as well versed on it but it doesn’t seem like the UK has the same issues. In the US, people say oh that’s just radio, so many people are listening to streaming platforms now. I think with that they think that’s another step forward but just because technology is changing, doesn’t mean the values change and a lot of the same people who are a part of programming radio are getting hired into streaming platforms.

I reposted somebody the other day who had looked through all of the Country Spotify Playlists in the US and the most women you’d find on any playlist was three. Even in the main Pop Country, New Country, the main discovery tool to find music but women aren’t there and that’s something I think people can make a lot of excuses for why and they like to come up with these ideas and myths like women don’t sell and that’s just not true. Women sell a lot and can sell more than men, then there’s women don’t listen to women – which again, not true. If you go to my concert, Kelsea’s concert, Maren’s concert, it’s majority women.

They come up with all these stories, “you know people turn off the radio when a woman comes on.” The whole thing is ridiculous because what it comes down to is that there’s still a bunch of older men in power positions, women aren’t at the top positions at labels, radio or a lot of these companies and they’re not asking women what they think; they’re telling women either things that they think they can control the narrative of what women do or don’t like, how to launch women and it’s just totally foreign to them.

What it comes down to is this lingering belief that women aren’t as valuable as men. It comes out in all kinds of ways and it’s something that awareness wise, I think a lot of us think “oh we’re doing fine, women can have jobs and what rights do we have, we’re doing pretty good” but I think you can hold two things in your mind at once. You can say yes, we are better than we’ve ever been and we’ve progressed as far as we’ve ever come in this moment and at the same time you can acknowledge that we’re not there yet.

I’m not here to complain because I’m comfortable, I’m part of this now right? I’ve made the money and I’m doing alright- not to go on a whole tangent with you -but I’m a part of the Grammy Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion where they’re addressing the recording academy and the Grammy’s about how the last Grammy’s went and how women were underrepresented.

The Annenburg Study that they just did, it looks really bad when you see the number of women even nominated, then when you pull out the even bigger picture and look at how many of the music community is actually women? It’s only around 22%. Women are not involved in this, it is a boys club and the reason that keeps women from being a part of it or that keeps them from even seeing themselves in it is probably that they don’t even think it’s possible because you don’t see women doing it.

Producers are only 2% women, songwriters only 12% women. So there is a huge gap that exists that nobody really wanted to acknowledge for a long time because we all wanted to think everything was cool and fine but the truth is, we still have a ways to go. First we have to make sure everyone understands the issue and then we need to start changing attitudes about why and how, then realise that there’s no excuse for being sexist or racist then start changing behaviour.

It’s really important to talk about and I appreciate that at least when you get outside of this eco-system to the UK, you don’t seem to run into the same hurdles, so it allows a lot of women to prove themselves – like me, outside of this culture which is really valuable.

CC: Speaking of your debut, there are songs on there about love and loss with lyrics that rip your heart out but the melody and production is such a different vibe and at times upbeat when stereotypically a heartbreak song tends to be a slow ballad and it works so well. Is this something that is purposely done?

Cam: Yeah, I think some of the saddest and most well written country songs you can dance to but they’re extremely sad; like “She Thinks I Still Care” by George Jones, you’re two-stepping and thinking oh what a cute song, the melody is wrapped up nicely then you’re thinking oh my god, what did he just say?

Sometimes you want to listen to a really sad song on repeat for sure, but sometimes you wanna be dancing around and it’s kinda like a little sugar with the medicine to help get it understood, something that’s a little bit tough. Especially with “Diane” – a woman talking to another woman about a really difficult situation they both didn’t choose to be in but they’re both hurting from it, that’s a heavy thing to talk about and people seem to have trouble processing that even at an up-tempo.

It’s fun to do it that way, it throws people for a loop and it’s fun to make it anthemic and make it something people want to scream and yell and you’re hearing people scream and yell something that’s important to say out loud.

CC: “Diane” is your current single and is your take on the other woman in “Jolene” in effect. Dolly herself has said she loves the song, that must be an amazing feeling to have recognition from such a big influence?

Cam: Oh my gosh, I was on national TV in America at “Good Morning America” and they played a video clip of her talking to me, which it’s honestly terrifying to sing after being surprised on live television. I admire Dolly so much! There’s so many songs where women are pitted against each other and women are competitive or slut shaming or whatever. The inspiration behind “Diane” is from real life stories of people that I really love but also, the tone of it comes from Dolly and “Jolene” because that’s the last time I remember people be honest and human about it – to say please in that sort of tone when you’re confronting another woman? That is next level humanity. For her to compliment my work was a really, really big moment.

CC: I know I’m not alone when I say I’m chomping at the bit for new music, so what can you tell us about your next album?

Cam: I’m so excited about it! I’m definitely someone who grew up loving soundtracks so whenever I make an album I colour code all the songs and I want to make sure there’s not too much of one colour. I don’t try to make an album that sounds the same, it’s definitely mixed – which I think you can hear on “Untamed” too – the stories are all great stories, they’re real. I think my voice has gotten much stronger, the production is so much more developed, so everything has gotten better but there’s still this tie that every song has to move me.

I’m really lucky that I get to have my first big hit be so different, I think it gave me a lot of freedom and a lot of courage to make this next album exactly how I wanted to make it and I did that.

CC: You did a Facebook Live a while back and performed some music and one of the songs you played was “Forgetting You When I’m Alone”. That song is a killer! That needs to be on the album.

Cam: That song is on there, don’t you worry. It was actually the one that my producer and co-writer played for Sam Smith and that’s why he wanted to write with me. I also played that song for Harry Styles and that’s why I got to open for him. That song is my little good luck charm and I’m glad you like it too.

CC: You are very much a storyteller and your songs are put together in a way where for me anyway, I can imagine what it looks like– there’s a part in Burning House where I imagine the old couple in the bed in Titanic as the ship is going down, which I know is very random!

Cam: People have actually said that to me!

CC:Where do you draw inspiration from as a writer because your music is very visual.

Cam: I love having it be visual and it’s important to me. When I meditate, I have to have it be visual meditation – I’m very imaginative and everything in my imagination is visual too. With “Burning House” I literally did have that dream, so I could reference those visuals from my dream while I was writing that.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, somebody can say something. If it’s my story or someone else’s story it has to hit me in my gut because I know there’s so much work involved to writing it correctly, to producing it correctly to then taking it around and playing it to everybody for probably the rest of my career that I have to feel very invested in it. So if it’s something that will make me want to laugh out loud or want to cry, I know it’s something that’s worth spending the time on.

CC: What would fans be surprised to know about you?

Cam: I’m obsessed with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. One of my biggest fans who runs @camcountrytour on Instagram and twitter, she came to a show and she gave me the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series, but in book form so I’m currently reading those. I’ve seen every single episode and now I’m reading the books. So that might be a fun fact.

CC: One thing we love to know here at Completely Country is if you could go back and give yourself advice when you were starting out in the business, knowing what you know now – what would you say?

Cam: That’s good…it’s tough because you’re only here because of all the things that you’ve done, you know? The good and the bad. I’d probably just remind myself and just really drive home that no one knows the answer. It’s just you and whatever you want to do, and especially in the music business – people act like they can help you but the only people that are really there to help you are the ones that will tell you that only you have the answer. They’ll say let us help you find it or let us help you amplify it or let me support you while you’re working on it. Anyone else who say they have the answer for you, it’s not really going to help you. Which is both freeing and terrifying at the same time.

Since our interview, the UK dates been worked on have now been announced alongside additional dates across Europe. You can see Cam perform live at any of the following dates;

11 September // London, UK

12 September // Manchester, UK

13 September // Birmingham, UK

15 September // Amsterdam, Holland

17 September // Copenhagen, Denmark

19 September // Oslo, Norway

You can learn more about Cam by visiting her official website or by following her on her social media pages;

Each award season fan bases take to social media to support their favourite artists, express their joy at the wins or disappointments at the losses but it’s almost that time of year where whoever wins is down to fans. Yes, that’s right! The 2018 CMT Music Award nominations were announced live today with the help of Kelsea Ballerini, and now it’s down to the fans to determine who takes away an award June 6th in Nashville at the event hosted by Little Big Town.

Be sure to cast your votes at CMT.com and be sure to let us know who you’ll be rooting for by tweeting us at @CCountryUK or commenting on our Facebook post.

2018 has so far been a great one for Lindsay Ell. Her debut album “The Project”, lauded “Best Country Album of 2017” by Billboard finally got a UK exclusive release back in March, she came away from this years C2C festival as a stand out performer having performed on numerous stages including the Spotlight Stage and the music video for her current single “Criminal” premiered over the weekend on Entertainment Tonight.

However that’s not all. This week “Criminal” has earned the top spot on both the Mediabase and BDS Canadian radio charts, making Lindsay the first female artist to hit No.1 on the Canadian Country airplay charts since 2008, which is a huge achievement for the Calgary native.

Speaking of this accolade, Lindsay has said “I am humbled and grateful to be the first female artist to have a #1 since 2008 on the Canadian country radio charts,” commented Ell. “Sometimes you work so hard for the things you want, they feel surreal when they happen. Thank you country radio for believing in me and making this possible. Thank you to each and every fan for never giving up on me. I will try my best to continue to make you proud.”

Additional to this “Criminal” is also moving further up the US charts after being the most added song at US radio on its impact day and is still climbing steadily up the charts – currently fast approaching the Top 20 on both MediaBase and Billboard Country Airplay, making it Lindsay’s highest charting single in the US to date.

Lindsay Ell is currently out on the road, touring with Brad Paisley on his “Weekend Warrior Tour” before she embarks on Sugarland’s “Still The Same Tour” and later performing select dates with Keith Urban on his “Graffiti U World Tour”.

When Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush were announced as part of the C2C 2017 line up, one of the first things I and I’m sure a lot of fans thought was would we have ourselves a Sugarland reunion? While this was a question both artists were asked, despite fantastic solo sets from both Jennifer and Kristian, unfortunately the reunion we were hoping for wasn’t to be.

Not that year anyway…

After presenting Duo of the Year at last years CMA Awards, Jennifer and Kristian alluded to a Sugarland reunion when Jennifer said, “We’re here to present the CMA Award we won together in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011… and well, who knows?” much to the delight of the audience.

News later came that Big Machine had signed Sugarland to the label with an album and tour announced shortly after. Lucky for us, the first official Sugarland shows were set to be played in the UK as part of C2C 2018.

From the moment they walked out on stage you would never know that this was only the second show, in fact you would be forgiven to think the duo had never been away. They oozed professionalism and had the crowd in the palm of their hand from the get go. The set felt nostalgic but also made me very excited for the future of Sugarland, as it is clear to see they are still headline material.

Performing a number of their beloved hits, including “All I Wanna Do”, “Stuck Like Glue”, “It Happens” to name a few before ending their high energy set with a cover of Simple Minds “Alive and Kicking” the pair looked happy, relaxed and like they were loving being back together on stage. Both performed one of their solo tracks, Kristian performed “Trailer Hitch” before Jennifer took on “Unlove You”, a beautiful moment in the show. It was great to see how they both took a step back to let one another shine during the solo moments.

Sugarland can have you in tears one moment with ballads like “Stay”, then have you singing your heart out the next with songs in the realm of “Baby Girl”.

I didn’t know how much I wanted a Sugarland comeback, until I witnessed it happen. Despite going their separate ways for several years to take on solo projects, it is more than evident that the magic is still there. Separately, they’re fantastic. Together? Magnificent.

They say things are bigger in Texas, and when you look at the talented artists that have originated in the Lone Star State you can see why. EMI Recording artist Eric Paslay is one of a long list of those artists who have moved from Texas to make it in Music City and while the journey is not always an easy one, Paslay’s talent has seen him celebrate five number one hits as a songwriter, release his own music and have a number one hit in the form of “Friday Night” from his debut album, as well as nominations at the ACM Awards and Grammy’s.

It has been a while since Paslay’s self-titled debut album was released back in 2014, but luckily for us the wait for new music is almost over! In the meantime, we caught up with the singer/songwriter ahead of his first trip to the UK for Country Music Week where he performed a number of shows alongside Randy Houser, Angeleena Presley and Michael Tyler for the CMA Songwriter’s Series.

CC: Your self-titled debut album was released back in 2014 which was the peak of what was called the Bro Country era. Your music was completely different to that trend, so was it frustrating that you maybe weren’t getting as airplay because you weren’t necessarily following the crowd or in some ways do you think it set you apart from the crowd in a positive way?

EP: I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of a crowd so I’m just following the way that I am. I’ve always been an outsider I guess but I think we definitely had some success with that album, I’m grateful for that and I think music always changes. I’m just grateful we still get to make music, we had some great success with that; “She Don’t Love You” got nominated for Song of the Year at the ACM awards. I’m grateful that people are diggin’ what I’m doing and we’re in the studio right now recording some new music, so I’m trying to stay with what I love doing.

I definitely am guilty of always trying to entertain people so I don’t always do the exact same song, but I always try and make sure people are entertained and give them great music.

CC: You’ll be performing five times during your time here in the UK, including some shows during Country Music Week. Do you have anything touristy planned?

EP: I have never gone to the UK, I’ve been to Ireland but that’s it. I’ve been joking that ill be the giant cowboy walking around with a camera around my neck and a fanny pack. It’s a terrible image but I’ll definitely be a tourist.

Randy Houser is going to be over there with us, we just had a show together and all we talked about was coming over to the UK. So he’s looking forward to it, I am too and he’s never been to the UK either so he and I will just be walking around with funny country accents going “look at that man, that was in that 007 movie”.

It’ll be really fun, really looking forward to it so yes, definitely looking forward to being a tourist as much as I can and I’m grateful that we’re getting to play so many shows for all the country fans there.

CC: You have had success as both an artist and as a songwriter – I learned recently that you co-wrote one of my favourite songs “It Ain’t Pretty” with Nicolle Galyon. Starting out was it always the end goal to be an artist or did you originally set out for your career to be in song writing?

EP: Yeah it was always to be a singer. I was always told when you move to Nashville, if you wanted to get a record deal you should get a publishing deal first and start writing songs. So I did that and it worked out fabulously. I’m glad other people have recorded my songs and grateful that I’m getting to do what I came here to do and dreamt of doing. I’m just kinda double lucky that I get to write songs then other people record them then I get to record and release my own music as well.

I love that you love “It Ain’t Pretty”. I actually tried to re-write that song to put it on my own album but only a girl can really sing it. It just doesn’t work with a guy, I tried to kinda re-write it from a 3rd person perspective but it just doesn’t sound honest.

Lady Antebellum recorded it first then Martina McBride just recorded it. It’s just one of those songs that wants to be heard.

CC: I was disappointed it wasn’t a single for Lady Antebellum. As a fan listening to an album, there’s always one track that really stands out and for me it was “It Ain’t Pretty.” Then Martina McBride recorded it so that made me happy.

EP: I was thinking Lady Antebellum gifted me again because they recorded “Friday Night” and didn’t put it out and I thank them every time I see them, like thank you so much because that was my first hit as a singer, then I was like maybe I could just re- write “It Ain’t Pretty” because they haven’t put it out, but it just doesn’t quite work. One of these days another female artist will get it out there and more people will get to hear it but it is really a beautiful song. Nicolle Galyon is an incredible writer and singer, she’s just awesome and I’m glad we got that song and I’m glad that you love it.

CC: You’ve just led to my next question, I imagine song writing is a very complex process. So if you listen to a song back a year or two down the line, do you ever hear something you’ve had a hand in and think I was I could change that line, verse so the story goes in a different direction or are you a writer that tends to be happy with the completed project?

EP: Well if nobody has recorded it yet, you can keep changing it. It just always changes. I’ve got a song that we’ve recorded but it hasn’t come out yet and I’ve already started re-writing the first verse, it’s just not quite right so we’ll see where that one ends up – I’m still working on it. I think it’s harder to re-write a song that you’ve already written, it’s hard to erase the ink that’s been sitting on the page for a long time, but I think if you know you can try and make it better, then make it better before everyone hears it but don’t overthink it.

With songs a lot of times it is good to re-write something if you know it needs to be re-written but also you just learn from each one of ‘em on what you might do different next time. I haven’t really had any regrets so far, there hasn’t been anything where it was like ah I wish I’d have written that a little different. If anyone hears a song ever and they’re singing along, you don’t need to change anything – it’s good.

CC: Your wife is also in the music business and worked at the same publishing company as you when you met, and had a hand in getting some of your biggest hits cut. What is that dynamic like?

EP: It’s pretty amazing, I got to marry one of my best friends. She’s got such good ears and a great pulse of good music. She was the one that took “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” to Jake Owen and up to Sony Records for that, and really just wore out Cliff Aldridge – he worked with Eli Young Band for years – for “Even if it Breaks Your Heart” and finally he was like “fine, yeah you’re right! This song would be great for them”. I mean that was a two-year process of “are you sure Cliff, this would be great for them.”

It really is amazing. There are so many people behind the scenes, my wife is a great publisher, there are so many great publishers in Nashville that really become the champions of songwriters and they won’t take no for an answer. I mean they take no all the time, it’s their job to hear no, no, no but whenever you get the yes and it all works out, it’s even sweeter.

My wife’s as sweet as can be and I’m grateful for her being such a passionate music person, I’m grateful that we met through music and I’m grateful that we’ve had success through music too.

CC: Your latest project “The Worktapes” was released a little while ago and has material to wet fans taste buds if you like, until your second album is released. It is a small collection of songs from your massive catalogue of over 1500 songs, what was that process like? We hope to have it released in the UK soon!

EP: So basically, if you and I wrote a song together we write the verse, we write the chorus, we’ve got the song done and before we go to lunch we’re like “we should probably record this, so we don’t forget it”. That’s the Work tape, it’s the rawest version of a song with just a guitar, the piano or whatever you’re writing on and whoever’s singing it.

It’s literally that, just five songs that are as raw as can be. My wife and I have worked together for so long, it was her idea – she was like “Eric you need to let fans have music and what a cool way for them to hear you as a songwriter and singer and what is sounds like when you first catch a song. So that’s what we did, released five songs. Four of them I’ve never released at all and one of them “Less Than Whole” which was a song on my first album. They’re just very simple versions of those songs but there’s a magic in those recordings, I always think there’s so many great albums that were recorded as they were written and they’re some of the coolest recordings ever.

We didn’t have fancy mics set up and all that for these work tapes, I kinda wish I did but they’re pretty amazing versions.

CC: There was news of your sophomore album “Dressed in Black” being released, is that something we can still look forward to soon and what can fans expect from that or is it being tweaked slightly?

EP: I think the universe has decided that album is going to be tweaked slightly and I’m not even sure if it’ll be called that. I’ve been in the studio working on new music and new songs keep showing up that want to be recorded, so we’re going in and recording ‘em. I think a few songs from “Dressed in Black” will be on this next album and a bunch of other new songs, once we’re done with recording everything we’ll see which songs win and those will be the ones on the album. It just wasn’t meant to be, it wasn’t supposed to come out this time but I’m sure all those songs will be heard eventually.

CC: You are about to open three shows for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw on their Soul2Soul tour, what was it like to be asked and what are you most looking forward to about it?

EP: We’re thrilled to death, we’ll be out this weekend with Tim and Faith for a couple of shows. I’ve always loved their music and they’ve both always had great songs. It’ll be good to hang out with them and soak up their good vibes this weekend.

CC: What was it like to get that call and be asked to be on the tour and what are you most looking forward to?

EP: I’m still smiling! There’s so many albums that influence you, a ton of Tim’s albums you can’t help but turn up and I’m sure I have driven into town many days listening to a lot of his albums thinking I hope I can write a song this good today. It’ll be awesome to go on the road and I’m just super grateful that we’re getting to play some shows with them. I’m glad we’re getting to play these shows with them this weekend and maybe we’ll get to hop on a big ole tour with them one day and I’m always grateful when you get to open for people that you love.

CC: If your current self could say anything to yourself as you were starting on this crazy journey that is the music business, what advice would you give yourself knowing what you know now?

EP: I think I would tell myself be serious but don’t be too serious. Soak up every day, every moment out on the road – don’t think of it as another stop, think of it as another story to remember. I tell that to every new kid going out on radio tour, it’s like they’re probably not going to play this song and I don’t tell them that to break their hearts but just to let them know that it’s a long journey, it’s not just one song. It’s not just one year of their life, it’s hopefully a whole career in music and I probably would have told myself that.

That being said though, people do tell you that but it’s one of those experiences where you have to go on your own. The wild thing about the music business is even if you tell someone your story, it’s hard to believe because it’s such a wild, trippy business and everyone has their own story which is kind of a beautiful thing. I think what people told me, I would have believed more but mainly I would have made sure any music I made wasn’t chasing radio or chasing anything else other than I love this and I think other people will love it if they get a chance to hear it.

You can learn more about Eric Paslay by visiting his official website or by following him on his social media pages;

About Me

Completely Country will keep you up to date with all things Country music from across the globe. Whether you want to read the latest news, hear our opinions on an artist’s album, a concert or to find out a little bit more with our featured artist interviews, you will most certainly be able to find it here at completelycountry.co.uk.